Bill Roberson
Bill Roberson authors the Throttle Jockey motorcycle column for The Manual. A lifelong motorhead, velocity addict, wirehead, shutterbug and cinephile, he's a Portland, Oregon native and enjoys exploring the region and world by motorcycle. When not on his two-wheelers, he's a dedicated dad, husband, photographer and Oregon Ducks fan. He also writes, shoots product photos and produces video content for both Digital Trends and The Manual.
Articles
Living
Throttle Jockey: Triumph pumps up the Bonneville, Thruxton models
Since the re-booted Bonneville and Thruxton arrived, you could only get so much more juice out of the air-cooled P-twin while maintaining a budget and reliability. That period of the Bonneville's recent history has now ended.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Single-cylinder motorbikes simplify a complex world
With rare exception, early motorcycle engines were one-cylinder machines, also known as singles, thumpers. Why are they are still around today?
Living
Throttle Jockey: Little Big Bikes pack some serious fun
Motorcycle makers used to have a slew of small-displacement bikes that were also big enough for adults. Now, the trend is back. Let's call them Little Big Bikes.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Gilding the lily on a Harley-Davidson CVO bagger
Despite the cost, complexity, and general overkill the 2016 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide provides, I was grinning the whole time I was aboard.
Living
Throttle Jockey: That special bond between man and Low Rider
Everyone has their Goldilocks bike, that one machine that satisfies your lust and expectations, but then adds in something more, something intangible and hard to pin down that makes you right with the world, at least for a little while.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Hit the streets in style on Harley’s fierce Forty-Eight
Harley-Davidson's sporty line up of middle-weight "Forty-Eight" cruisers are cool, capable and fun to ride.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Honda finally brings the big Africa Twin to the USA
The all-new bike is a technological statement from Honda, as it can be optionally equipped with the latest version of their dual-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission.
Living
Throttle Jockey: 5 tips for a great motorcycle tour
There is no better way to see the world than on two wheels. Here are some tips to making your motorcycle tour fun, safe and memorable.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Rise, Fall and Rise of the 300
250cc too small and 600cc too big? Check out the new crop of 300cc (or so) motorcycles that are just right.
Living
Throttle Jockey: New-think ‘UJM’ Hondas that do it all
Honda is working hard to get new riders on bikes, so they've come up with some novel two-wheelers.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Stuart Parr’s collection of dream bikes
Stuart Parr lives a life most of us can only imagine. He’s a film and music producer, and he’s got a thing for vintage motorcycles. Since his ventures tend to do pretty well, he's been able to put together quite the collection.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Riding in honor of those who served and died
In 2005, a small group of motorcyclists formed the Patriot Guard Riders, or PGR. Here's why - and how - they honor veterans and others.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Desert dirtbike getaway, Part 2
As I noted last week, it was time again for a semi-annual journey to the far reaches of Oregon's desolate southern corner for some time away from cell phones, work emails and, yes, family.
Living
Throttle Jockey: High desert getaway
Southeast Oregon is known locally by several names, most notably as The Big Empty and the Oregon Outback, and those are fitting monikers for this vast, dry, seemingly barren corner of the state. But the off-road motorcycle riding is epic.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Triumph Bonneville, the practical modern classic
Technology, when properly married to a classic form factor, can be a wonderful, capable and stylish thing.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Singles therapy on Yamaha’s SR400 retrobike
The retro Yamaha SR400 isn't a lot things. It’s not fast. It’s not loaded with tech. It’s not modern (well, not by much). As new bikes go, it’s about as analog as it gets. However, all of those things work in its favor.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Italian beauties on parade
Riders everywhere clamor for builders to emulate these classic designs, but modern technology, the demands of riders today and the ever-shortening design period for new bikes means that motorcycles like these are likely to remain artifacts…
Living
Throttle Jockey: Just one bike? Yamaha’s FJ-09 triple does it all
One trend I’m happy to see is the return - and update - of the “standard” motorcycle, a do-most-everything bike that can zip you to work, capably sport-tour or even raise your pulse at a track day. One machine that's caught my eye is…
Living
Throttle Jockey: Legacy of the original speed demon
It would not be a stretch to say the original 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 had as much of an impact on the performance category in motorcycling as the 1969 Honda CB750 had on the industry as a whole.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Brassy, classy Blacksquare CB550 bobber
One look and you know this is next-level craft. But the story behind the bike may be more fascinating than the machine itself.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Rites (and rides) of Spring
Need an excuse to get your gear on and check the tires? Find a "spring opener," a ride organized by you, your buddies or a local club.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Spring return-to-riding pro tips
If you're like most fair-weather riders and parked your bike when it finally got too cold, too wet and dark too early (or all of the above), you're probably pretty amped to get back in gear and get back out on the road.
Living
Throttle Jockey: Indian’s blacked-out Dark Horse cruiser is a bargain
Indian has introduced the Chief Dark Horse, a stripped-down, murdered-out version of their basic bike, the Indian Chief Classic. But if you think this $16,999 "budget bike" is going to leave you wanting, think again.